The effect of genistein on IGF-1, PlGF, sFLT-1 and fetoplacental development.

The mechanisms by which genistein, a phytoestrogen, affects fetoplacental development adversely are still poorly understood. It is reported that genistein ingestion modulates thyroid functions, leptin hormone, C-reactive protein, and thyroxin kinase activities. In this study, we evaluated changes in serum and placental insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), placental growth factor (PIGF), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) in pregnant rats exposed to genistein using ELISA. According to the treatments, Rats were divided into control, 2 mg genistein, and 4 mg genistein groups. Genistein groups were administered with the doses orally from gestational day (GD) one onwards until sacrifice, while the control group received an equal volume of distilled water the vehicle. At GD-12, GD-16, and GD-20, serum samples and placenta homogenates were prepared from maternal blood samples and the placenta and were analysed to determine the concentration of IGF-1, sFLT-1, and PIGF. Serum IGF-1 and PIGF were both increased in all genistein groups at GD-12 and GD-16, and at GD-20 in the 4 mg group. However, serum IGF-1and PIGF levels were decreased in the placenta from all genistein groups at GD-20. Placenta sFLT-1 levels increased at both GD-16 and GD-20 in genistein-treated rat serum. An initial decrease in placental sFLT-1 at GD-12 was followed by an increase at GD-16 and finally a decrease at GD-20 in all genistein-treated rats. The sFL-1/PlGF ratio in placenta samples of genistein-exposed rats was decreased at GD-16 and increased at GD-20, while the reverse was recorded in the serum sample at the same gestational periods. The fetoplacental growth disruption mechanism of genistein can be partly explained by its interference with placental growth factor signalling.

The immune system cell populations were increased in salt-induced hypertensive rats without an increase in the serum testosterone level (Short communication).

The consumption of dietary salt has significantly increased globally, especially in the developed countries. High dietary salt intake has been linked to onset and complications in hypertension with a dimorphism tendency. There is scanty information about the influence of high salt diet on the immune cell population and androgen level in circulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats of 8 weeks old were used for this study. They were divided into control (fed 0.1% salted feed) and salt-loaded groups (fed 8% salted feed) for 8 weeks. All experimental rats were allowed access to clean drinking water; daily feed consumption was measured in addition to weekly weight. On confirmation of hypertension using PowerLab® data acquisitions system, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected into EDTA and sterile sample bottles. EDTA-blood samples were used for white blood cell and CD4 counts while the serum was used for hormonal assays. All salt-loaded rats became hypertensive, with a significant increase in total white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and CD4 cell counts. However, the eosinophil count was significantly decreased in salt-loaded rats. This study showed no change in the serum testosterone in salt-loaded male rats compared with control. In summary, dietary salt loading while precipitating hypertension also activated increased production of white blood cells and CD4 cells without any change in the serum testosterone level.

Genistein Precipitated Hypothyroidism, Altered Leptin and C-Reactive Protein Synthesis in Pregnant Rats.

Genistein is an isoflavone constituent of soya. This study examined the mechanism by which genistein produced adverse effects in pregnant laboratory rats. Pregnant rats were divided into control (Con) and genistein (Gen) force fed (2 mg/kg) groups. At terminal gestation day (GD) ranging from 0-20, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples and amniotic fluids were collected. Thyroid hormone, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leptin assay was carried using the blood samples. Leptin was also assayed in the placenta and amniotic fluid supernatant. Oral exposure of pregnant rats to genistein significantly altered maternal T3, (GD18; Con 1.65 ± 0.01, Gen 1.03 ± 0.04 nmol/L), T4 (GD6; Con 29.60 ± 0.00, Gen 36.04 ± 1.29 nmol/L), Leptin (Placenta GD20; Con 0.08 ± 0.01, Gen 0.31 ± 0.02 ng/ml, amniotic fluid ;GD 20; Con 0.02 ± 0.00, Gen 0.35 ± 0.05 ng/ml) in genistein group. These changes were accompanied with loss of embryonic implants and a decrease in fetal and placental weights. The CRP level was significantly decreased and increased at the onset and toward late pregnancy respectively. Oral exposure of pregnant rats to genistein precipitated hypothyroidism, altered some metabolic hormones with a reduction in fetal and placental growth and increased resorption of embryonic implants.

Changes in blood glucose, lipid profile and antioxidant activities in trained and untrained adult male subjects during programmed exercise on the treadmill.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a physical activity that maintains physical fitness and optimum health of an individual. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine changes in redox-oxidative status, lipid profile, cortisol, testosterone and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in trained and untrained male subjects during a programmed exercise session. METHODS: Twenty (20) trained and twenty (20) untrained young healthy male subjects (age 21.75 +/- 1.15 years, height 1.74 +/- 0.02 m and weight 65.25 +/- 1.46 kg) participated in the study. Their weights, heights, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Subjects who have fasted for 12 hours exercised on the treadmill for 20 minutes at 1.5 km/hr after a warm-up period of exercising at 0.5 km/hr. for 3 minutes. Blood samples (1.5 ml) were withdrawn from the cubital vein before and immediately after the exercise session. Blood samples were analyzed for FBG, lipid profile, testosterone, cortisol and oxidative enzymes activities. Blood pressure and pulse rate were also measured before and after the exercise. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in rate of glucose disappearance in the trained subjects compared with the untrained subjects. The low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol), TC, TC:HDL and LDL:HDL ratios were significantly higher in the untrained subjects both before and after the exercise while the trained subjects recorded significantly low cholesterol level. Testosterone and cortisol were significantly higher in untrained subjects before the exercise while its level balanced up with that of the trained subjects after the exercise. There was a significant increase in pulse pressure and diastolic pressure in untrained subjects after the exercise compared with trained subjects. Results of antioxidant assay showed that basal GPx and catalase were significantly higher in the trained subjects while GSH and SOD significantly increased in untrained subjects after the programmed exercise. Trained subjects expressed efficient energy utilization with better preparedness to handle oxidative stress better than untrained subjects. CONCLUSION: Exercise improves body lipid profile, cardiovascular system and antioxidant status, thus providing better accommodative adjustment to changes without any significant change to blood pressure parameters during exposure to exercise training.

Histomorphometric changes in the testes and epididymis of wistar strain albino rats following fourteen days oral administration of therapeutic doses of some antibiotics / Cambios histomorfométricos en los testículos y el epidídimo de ratas cepa wistar albinas después de catorce días de administración oral de dosis terapéuticas de algunos antiobióticos

Studies on testes and epididymis tissue of rats treated orally for fourteen days with therapeutic doses of cloxacillin (6mg/100g/day), ampicillin (4mg/100/day) and tetracycline (12mg/100g/day) separately showed a significant reduction in testicular and epididimis architecture. Microscopic studies of these male reproductive organs further revealed a significant alteration in the epididymis as revealed by a significant reduction (p<0.05) in epididymal ductular diameter (EDD), and epididymal epithelial height (EEH) in treated group of animals. A significant increase (p<0.05) was however recorded in epididymal luminal diameter (ELD) in all the animals after the two and three week's recovery period allowed. This gives another insight into the toxicity activities of these antibiotics on male reproductive organs, apart from reduction in serum testosterone level, decreased sperm motility, decreased spermatozoa count and decrease in RNA and DNA content of spermatogenic cells as earlier reported.

Estudios referentes a testículos y tejido epididimario en ratas tratadas por vía oral durante catorce días, con dosis terapéuticas de cloxacilina (6mg/100g/día), ampicilina (4mg/100/día) y tetraciclina (12mg/100g/día) por separado muestran una reducción significativa en el peso testicular y epidídimario. Los estudios microscópicos de los órganos reproductores masculinos revelan además una alteración significativa en el epidídimo como se observa en la reducción del diámetro (p<0,05) de los conductos del epidídimo (EDD), y la altura del epitelio epididimal (EEH) en el grupo de los animales tratados. Sin embargo, se registró un aumento significativo (p <0,05) en el diámetro luminal del epidídimo (ELD) en todos los animales después de dos y tres semanas del período de recuperación. Esto genera otro punto de vista en relación a la toxicidad de estos antibióticos en los órganos reproductivos masculinos, además de la reducción de la concentración sérica de testosterona, disminución de la motilidad del esperma, disminución del recuento de espermatozoides y disminución en el contenido de ARN y ADN en las células de espermatogénesis como se reportó anteriormente.

Acute oral toxicity test and phytochemistry of some West African medicinal plants.

BACKGROUND: Although there is increased acceptance and utilization of medicinal plants worldwide, many are used indiscriminately without recourse to any safety test. Thus, the need for toxicity tests to determine the safe dose for oral consumption. OBJECTIVE: LD50 and phytochemistry of four medicinal plants of West Africa were investigated. METHODS: Thirty male and non pregnant female Swiss albino mice weighing 20grams each were used for this study. They were divided into the Control (C), Oldenlandia corymbosa L. aqueous leaf-extract treated (OCG), Parquetina nigrescens aqueous leaf extract treated (PNG), Hybanthus enneaspermus aqueous leaf extract treated (HEG), Ficus carica leaf extract treated (FCG) and Sesamum indicum aqueous seeds extract treated group (SIG). Each group except the control was further divided into four sub-groups of six mice each, and were administered orally, graded doses (SI; 1, 2, 4 and 8, PN; 2.5, 5, 10 and 20, OC; 5, 10, 20 and 40, FC; 1, 2, 4 and 8, HE; 4, 8, 16, 32) of the aqueous extract of each plant (g/kg body weight) after 12 hours fasting. RESULTS: The dry aqueous leaf extracts of HE, OC, PN, FC all have dark brown colour and pH ranging from 6.1 to 7.2 while the seed extract of SI has a light brown color with pH of 7.0. Flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanosides, saponin, and reducing sugar were present in all extracts, while cyanogenic glycoside was present only in HE. LD50 determination results obtained using Thompson and Finney methods were as follows; OC; 14.14 +/- 0.27 and 10.56 +/- 0.20, PN; 12.60 +/- 0.10 and 13.10 +/- 0.10, HE; 8.14 +/- 0.30 and 8.24 +/- 0.35, FC; 3.36 +/- 0.26 and 4.00 +/- 0.04, SI; 4.00 +/- 0.10 and 3.10 +/- 0.22 respectively (LD50 values are in g/kg body weight. CONCLUSION: The results of this study have provided an oral LD50 from where a safe dose can be chosen for further research into the merits of the consumption of these medicinal plants.

Fourteen days oral administration of therapeutic dosage of some antibiotics reduced serum testosterone in male rats

Fourteen days oral administration of therapeutic dose of Ampicillin (4mg/100g/day); Cloxacillin (6mg/100g/day) and Tetracycline (12mg/100g/day) separately to healthy adult male albino rats significantly reduced their serum testosterone level as assessed by enzyme immunoassay. The control group received equal volume of the vehicle (Normal saline) throughout the period of the treatment. A significant reduction (P0 .05) in testicular and epididymal weight was also produced by Cloxacillin; Cloxacillin and Tetracycline respectively. Ampicillin administration on the other hand significantly reduced (P0 .05) prostrate gland weight. After subjecting the treated animals to a recovery period ranging from 1-2 weeks; during which the drug administration was discontinued; all the animals recovered fully from the antifertility effect of these antibiotics on the serum testosterone level by the end of the second week. A significant recovery in the epididymal; testicular and prostrate gland weight was also recorded in the Cloxacillin and Tetracycline; Cloxacillin; and Ampicillin treated animals respectively. The result suggests that the reversible antifertility effects of these antibiotics were produced via the disruption of testosterone hormone production process. This was also accompanied by reduction in the weight of some of the male reproductive organs

Fourteen Days Oral Administration of Therapeutic Dosage of some Antibiotics Reduced Serum Testosterone in Male Rats

Fourteen days oral administration of therapeutic dose of Ampicillin (4mg/100g/day); Cloxacillin (6mg/100g/day) and Tetracycline (12mg/100g/day) separately to healthy adult male albino rats significantly reduced their serum testosterone level as assessed by enzyme immunoassay. The control group received equal volume of the vehicle (Normal saline) throughout the period of the treatment. A significant reduction (P0 .05) in testicular and epididymal weight was also produced by Cloxacillin; Cloxacillin and Tetracycline respectively. Ampicillin administration on the other hand significantly reduced (P0 .05) prostrate gland weight. After subjecting the treated animals to a recovery period ranging from 1-2 weeks; during which the drug administration was discontinued; all the animals recovered fully from the antifertility effect of these antibiotics on the serum testosterone level by the end of the second week. A significant recovery in the epididymal; testicular and prostrate gland weight was also recorded in the Cloxacillin and Tetracycline; Cloxacillin; and Ampicillin treated animals respectively. The result suggests that the reversible antifertility effects of these antibiotics were produced via the disruption of testosterone hormone production process. This was also accompanied by reduction in the weight of some of the male reproductive organs